Somewhere, Ashton Jeanty had to be watching the Super Bowl with a grin on his face - and if he wasn’t, he should’ve been.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ new offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, just gave the league a front-row look at what he can do when he’s got a dynamic running back in his system. And if you're Jeanty, a young back with serious upside, it's hard not to get excited about what that could mean for your future in silver and black.
Jeanty was already pegged by Pro Football Focus as one of the players most likely to benefit from a coaching change this offseason - and it’s easy to see why. Kubiak’s offensive philosophy leans heavily on a strong ground game paired with quarterback-friendly play-action concepts.
When he has a back who can hit the hole fast and make defenders miss, he knows how to maximize that talent. Just ask Kenneth Walker III, who thrived under Kubiak’s guidance and played a pivotal role in a Super Bowl run.
But let’s pump the brakes for a second - there’s still a long road between potential and production, and the Raiders have some serious work to do up front.
The offensive line was a major problem last season. In fact, it wasn’t just bad - it was rated as the worst in the NFL.
That’s not just a red flag; it’s a full-blown siren. No matter how good your running back is, if the line can’t open lanes or protect the quarterback, you’re not going anywhere.
There is, however, a glimmer of hope - and it starts with Kolton Miller. The veteran left tackle missed most of the year after suffering a high ankle sprain that eventually turned into a fracture.
He nearly returned late in the season, but the team wisely held him out. The good news?
He’s expected to be fully healthy by training camp.
And that’s huge. In the NFL, if you don’t have a left tackle, you don’t have an offensive line - and the Raiders felt that firsthand.
Before Miller’s injury, the line was holding its own. After he went down, everything unraveled.
Getting him back at full strength is step one in rebuilding the trenches.
Step two? Spending some of that cap space.
The Raiders are sitting on one of the league’s largest war chests heading into the offseason. With Miller healthy, they’ll have the flexibility to chase a top-tier free agent lineman, and they could double down by investing early in the draft.
That kind of overhaul won’t happen overnight, but it’s a start - and it’s a necessary one if they want to give Jeanty room to operate.
Of course, there’s another layer to this: the quarterback situation. With the 2026 NFL Draft looming, all signs point to the Raiders bringing in a rookie signal-caller.
That could mean some growing pains, but it also opens up opportunities. A young quarterback typically leans on the run game, which could put Jeanty front and center in Kubiak’s offense.
And let’s be honest - it’s hard to imagine the quarterback play being worse than what the Raiders got from Geno Smith last season.
So yes, there are questions. The offensive line needs a rebuild.
The quarterback room is in flux. But there’s also a clear path forward - and a reason for optimism.
Kubiak’s system works when he’s got a playmaker in the backfield. He just proved it on the biggest stage. And while Jeanty may not be penciled in for a Super Bowl run just yet, he’s in a position to take a major step forward in 2026.
If the Raiders can give him the blocking, Jeanty has the talent. And now, he’s got the coach.